Welcome to the Website of the History Society, Stapleford, Cambridgeshire

Stapleford Village Show Archive

from a talk presented by John Sherwell to the History Society Archive Group

Stapleford Flower Show was first held in 1888, with the Centenary celebrated in 1988. It was also called the Stapleford Flower Show and Fete as more stalls and other activities were introduced.

1972 – was combined with the Stapleford Gala. The Gala brought floats, parades and more entertainment. It was organised by separate subcommittees, with an Executive Committee overseeing.

1973 – The Committee considered some interesting and some frankly unrealistic activities:

Car dismantling competition using a Ford Escort

Women’s gymnastics

Model aircraft display

Dagenham Girl Pipers and Drum Majorettes

Hovercraft rides

Helicopter flights

Hiring an elephant

Demonstration of sheep shearing

1977 – the Gala was not held, and the Flower Show was moved to the School Hall

1979 – the Gala resurfaces!

1987 – one male competitor complained about his prize of cosmetics for the Fruit & Vegetable category. The Committee felt the prize would have been more appropriate for the Home Produce of Flower Arranging classes.

1988– A special edition of the Flower Show for the centenary year.

1990 -Still a combined Flower Show and Gala, but it was decided to move to the School Hall because of the increasing cost of marquee hire.

1993 – Because of a lack of Officers and Committee members, it was decided not to hold the Flower Show and Gala